Constant velocity universal joint



' March 11, 19-41. I H, WQLLNER 2,234,296

CONSTANT VELOCITY UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed July 1, 1937 s sheets-sheet :1

\ I v INVENTOR v I Hans )f allrzer."

BY :2;- wfiims.

March 11, 1941. H. WOLLNER 1 2,234,296

CONSTANT VELOCITY UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed July 1, 1937 3 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOIR 75 M aZZzz r:

A TTORNE i s.

iatented Mar. 11, 1941 PA NT] orrlcs CONSTANT VELOCITY UNIVERSAL JOINT Hans Wollner, Detroit, Mich assignor to Unlversal Products 00., 1110., Dearborn, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application July 1, 1937, Serial No. 151,473

fiiaims.

The present invention relates to a constant velocity universal joint, 1. e., a joint wherein the speed of'the driven member is at all times exactly equal to the speed of the driving member.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively small compact constant velocity joint having a few parts, which are inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to assemble.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved, simplified and effective means for centering the trunnion member of a constant velocity joint.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for maintaining the axis of the driving trunnion at equal angles with respect to the driving and driven members of the universal joint as the latter oscillate'with respect to each other during normal operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved sealing housing for a universal joint.

Other objects, which include, the provision of an improved design and arrangement of the various details of the construction will become apparent from the following specification, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing one form of the content velocity universal joint.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the joint, parts being broken away, to illustrate the construction.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on a the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the details of construction.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view showing the relation of the centering stamping and the torque transmitting pin or trunnion.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

' Fig. 7 is a sectional view' taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 6. V

Fig; 8 is a sectional view. taken on the line B-8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6. v

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional 'view of a further modiflcation of the constant velocity joint. V

Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line lI- -ll of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an exploded view of the main joint members shown in Figs. 10 and 11 with the members partly in section on the line I2-l2 of Fig. 11. j

The form of the invention shown inFigs. 1 to 5, inclusive, is particularly adapted for use in locations where there already exists. a suitable 5 housing for the joint. Referring partic"lariy-t0 Fig. i, it will be seen that the joint itself comprises a pair of universally connected members it) and I2 having integral axially extending shanks I4 and I6, respectively. These members 10 comprise the principal torque transmitting members of the joint and either one may drive the other.

For purposes of illustration the joint is shown as mounted in a housing member l8 which may form, for example, the pivota-lly mounted wheel supporting housing of a power driven vehicle steering wheel, such as those found onfront wheel drive automobiles. Member i8 carries a bearing indicated generally at E8 which supports and journals the shank 96 of member 12. If desired, a. sleeve member indicated fragmentarily at 20 may be positioned between bearing i9 and shank I6, and this sleeve may carry the vehicle wheel. Housing member i8 is generally spherical in internal configuration, and is open at its left end as viewed in Fig. '1. This open end is closed by a member 2i having a spherical portion 22 fi-ttingthe internal surface'of member l8 and having a cylindrical portion 23 joumaled tion and any suitable housing may be utilized with the hereinafter described universal joint.

The joint itself comprises the aforementioned members [0 and I2, which are provided with diametrically opposed arms having interengaging spherical surfaces. The member II has a pair of arms indicatedgenerally at 30 while the member ID has a. similar pair of arms 3|. The arms 30 and 3| have interengaging internal and external spherical surfaces 32 and 33, respectively, which form a universal or ball and socket connectionbetween the members. .The width of the arms 30 and "3| measured circumferentially is such that the members 10 and I! -may be assembled in the position shown in Figs. -1 and 3 by inserting member Ill into the member 86 connection between the members t2 when the arms 36and 3| of these members are displaced at 90 from the position shown in- Fig. 3. The members are then rotated intothe relative position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 in which the internal andexternal spherical surfaces; interengage and universally connect the members.

The arms 36v are provided with diametrically opposed slots 34 extending in a plane containing the axis of the joint member I72 and the arms 3| are provided with similar slots 35 extending in a plane containing the axis of joint member ID. The driving torque is, transmitted between .me'mbers i and i2 bymeans of a pair of sleeve members 36 and 31 each of. which extends through and fits in adjacent slots 34 and 35 in the arms of members l0 and I! as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. A pin or trunnion member 38 having reduced end portions 33 extends through both of the sleeves 36 and 31 .to maintain them in.

34 and 35rolling or sliding upon the sleeves incident to this movement. V v

In order to-produce a universal driving relation between the members I0 and I! it is essentialthat the common axes of sleeves 36 and 3I.extend at all times through the'common center of spherical surfaces 32 and 33, and-in accordance with the present invention there is provided an improved and simplifiedmechanism for this purpose. Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 3 and of the drawings-it will be seen that the end of the trunnion or pin 38 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed recessed shoulders 44 forming a reduced' end projection 45 having parallel sides. The end projection 45 extends through a-correspondinglyshaped.opening in the bottom wall 41 of acup shaped stamping 4'6, shown best in Fig. 5. The'cylindrical wall 48 of this stampin fits with- 'in an annular recess 50 in the outer end of one of the sleeves 36 or 31 when theparts are assembled and the stamping 46 is held in position by a ma- .chine screw 5| cooperating with alockwasher 52. The stamping 46 is provided with a relatively wide peripheral flange 63 which is generally spherical ,in contour and. which fits and seats the axis of pin 38 is accompanied by a sliding upon a correspondingly curved external spherical surface 54 on one of the arms of joint member l2. This spherical surface 54 is concentric with surfaces 32 and 33. The bottom 41 of the cup shaped stamping 46 engages the ends'of rollers 40 and also the sleeve 36 to hold the sleeve and rollers against displacement. In addition the flanges 53 of stamping 46 engages the spherical outer'surface of joint member I! for the purpose of centeiing. the axis of the pin and sleeves. Since the construction is identical at both ends of the pin 38, it is apparent that the stampings 46 ma intain the axis of the pin 33 and sleeves 36 and 31 in a line extending through the center of the joint at as is necessary in all joints of the so-called constant velocity type, it is essential that means be provided for maintaining the common axis of the pin 38 and sleeves 36 and 31 at equal angles with respect to the axis of joint members I0 and L2 at I all times during relative oscillation of members I 0 faces'58and 59, respectively. This spool 55 is freely slidable-and rotatable upon the pin 38, and

is preferably formed as an integral part. The axial bore in spool 55, through which pin 38 ex-. tends, is preferably relieved intermediate its ends, as indicated in dotted lines at 66 in Figs. 1 and 3, in order to reduce the length of the bearing surfaces between the pin and the spool,

The' main joint members l6 and I2 are provided respectively with a pair of axially extending bores 62 and 63 in each of which is mounted an element 65, the form of which is best shown in Fig. 4. These elements 65, which. are identical, are each provided with a cylindrical shank 66' which is press-fitted into one of the bores 62. or 63, and the element is also provided with a cylindrical end portion 61, the axis of which extends at right angles to the axis of the shank 66. The diameter of the cylindrical portions 61 on element 65 is equal to the axial spacing between the annular surfaces 58 and 59 on the spool flanges, and the length of the elements is such that the cylindrical portions 61 engage between these annular surfaces 58 and 59 when the parts are assembled. The elements 65 are provided with axial bores 68 to prevent an air pressure building up in bores 62 and 63 when the elements are pressed into position. s

The structure just described positively maintains the axis of pin 38, and therefore the common axis of sleeves 36 and 31, at equal angles' with .respect to the axes of the main joint members l6 and I! at all times by reason of the fact that it shifts the axis of pin 36 by an angle equal to one-half of the angle through which the axes of joint members l0 and I2 move relative to each other about a central axis perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 1, of the drawings. This shifting of movement of spool on the pin and by slight inward and outward movement of the cylindrical portions 61 of elements 65 relative to the annular since the cap stampings 46 on the ends of the pin maintain the axis of the pin extending in a line through the center of the joint, the inward and outward movement of the two elements 65 relative to the annular surfaces 58 and 53 will at all times be equal. Accordingly, the construction effects a perfect constant velocity torque transmission.

It is apparent from theabove that there is provided in accordance with this form of the lnven tion an exceedingly compact, rugged, and simpleconstant'velocity joint. This joint is formed of relatively few simple parts which may. be readily assembled in the following manner. The elemerits 66 are press-fitted into the bores 62' and 63 of the main joint members 16 and I2 prior to assembly of the members l6 and I2 into the relationship shown in the drawings. Following assembly of members I8 and I2, the spool member 55 is inserted in a direction perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 1 into the position shown, and the pin 38 is inserted through the slots 34 .and 35 and through the central bore of spool 55. If desired,

, sleeves and rollers bear against the shoulder 81 one of the sleeves 36 or 31 and the associated antifriction rollers 48 and centering cap 46 may be fixed in position upon the pin 38 prior to its insertion through the slots, and through the bore in spool 55. Thereafter, the sleeve, rollers, and cap 46 may be positioned upon theopposite end of the pin 38 to complete the. assembly.-

In Figs. 6 to -8' of the drawings there is, shown a modified form of the joint wherein the joint itself is provided with a sealing housing. In this joint the main joint members I8 and II are substantially identical to thejoint members 18 and I2 previously described, and the joint is provided with torque transmitting sleeves I6 and 11 containing so-calledneedle or quillanti-friction rollers I8 in the manner described in connection with the modification shown in Figs. 1 to inclusive. In this form of the invention, however,

- the trunnion. member is formed, as best shown in Fig. 7, as an annular. ring 88 having a pair of diametrically opposed radially extending trunnions 82, which cooperate with the sleeves 16 and I1, and the rollers I8. The outer ends of the .trunnions 82 are provided with reduced projections 84 forming shoulders 85 upon which are seated rings or washers 86 for holding the sleeves and rollers in position upon the trunnions. These washers are preferably provided with spherical upper surfaces, as shown. The inner ends of the at the inner ends of the trunnions. The outer surface of the main joint member I8 is provided with an external spherical surface 88 concentric with the center of the joint, and upon which is seated an annular split housing member formed of twoparts 82 and 84, having confronting flanges 85 and 86 secured together in any suitable manner; as by bolts 8'I.- The flanges 85 and 86 are formed to define a pair of recesses 81 for the reception of the reduced ends 84 of the trunnions 82. The reduced end projections 84 and the recesses 81 are preferably provided with flat sides,

as shown best in Fig. 9 of the drawings, in order to prevent relative rotation between the annular housing'ring and the trunnions, for a purpose to be set forth hereinafter.

It will be observed that the annular housing ring formed of members 82 and 84 performs the essential function of maintaining the common axis of the trunnions 82 me. line extending through the center of the joint by reason of the fact that the annular housing members 82 and 84 are secured to the trunnions and seat upon a spherical surface concentric with the center of the joint. In addition, the housing members 82 and 88 cooperate with a pair of spherical housing members I88 and IM fixedly mounted respectively on the shanks I82 and I83 of the main joint members 18 and II to house and seal the joint.

The housing members I88 and IM 'are provided with peripheral channels I84 and I85 in whichare positioned annular packing rings I86 and I81,

which are urged into engagement with the anv nular housing rings 82 and by means of annular coil springs I88 and I88. It is apparent therefore that the housing members'82, 84, I88, IM and associated-sealing rings completely seal the entire joint and thereby serve as an effective ates; as will appear hereinafter, to prevent movement of the central plane of the annular housing ring outof the. plane of the annular trunnion ring 88. It is for this reason that the projections 84 and the recesses 81 in the annular housin ring flanges 85 and 86 are formed with flat sides. It is preferred, however, to' provide additional means for this purpose, and such additional means are shown 'in Fig. 7. Referring to Fig. 7,

it will beseen that the annular ring 88 is provided with two openings or bores H8 and II2 extending at right angles-of the axes of trunnions .82 and in the plane of the ring 88. Pressed into these bores H8 and H2 are a pair of pins II3 having flattened end portions H5, which project into suitable recesses H6 and III formed by the flanges and 86 of theannular housing ring 8284. These pins II3 positively prevent any rotation of the trunnion ring 88 relative toithe pin of the annular housing ring 8284, and hence maintains the trunnion ring in the central transverse plane of the housing ring 8284.

It is preferable, for reasons which will become apparent, to provide a different form of mechanism for maintaining the common axis of trunnions 82 at equal angles with respect to the axes of the main joint members I8 and II in the form of the universal joint shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 than that illustrated in connection with the joint shown in Figs. 1-5 inclusive. This function is performed, in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 to 8, by the following structure. The opposite sides of the trunnion rings 88 are provided with parallel 'fiat surfaces I28 and I2I'extending parallel to the planeof the ring*88, and there is provided a spool 'member indicated generally at I22 having a shank I23 extending through the opening in the trunnion ring 88. The spool I22 is provided with spaced radially extending flanges I24 and I25 having flat inner surfaces in engagement with the flat surfaces I28 the shank I23 of the spool within the larger central opening of the trunnion 88. Preferably,

the spool member I22 is formed as an integral part, and accordingly there is provided a slot I26 in thering 88 shown best in Fig. '7, through which the shank of the spool I22 may be inserted when the joint is assembled.

p The ends of the spool are provided with a pair of balls I28 and I28, which are adapted to oooperate with sockets I38 and HI in a pair of elements I32 and I33 carried respectively by the main joint members II and III. The element I32 is press-fitted into a suitable recess I35 into the main joint member II, while the element 133 is slidably fitted with an elongated cylindrical recess I36 of the main joint member I8. In order to permit assembly of the spool member in the joint there is'provided a coil spring I3I in the recesses I36, which bears against the element I33 and normally forces it outwardly of the cylindrical recess. When the spool member is assembled in the joint the element I83 is forced against .the pressure of spring 31 into the recess I36 in order to provide clearance for the ball I29 as it is inserted within the joint mechanism.

When the ball I29 is in alignment with a socket I3I of element I33, the'element I33 may be released whereupon it will be "advanced by spring I31 into the position shown in Fig. 7.

The structure just described positively and accurately shifts the axes of trunnions 82 through an angle equal to one-half the angle of the relative movement between the joint members I9 and II measured about a central axis perpendicular 1 to the plane of Fig. 6, .andthus insures a perfect constant velocity torque transmission. 1 the shifting'movements of the trunnion member During 89 by this mechanism the spool member I22 will 1 slide relativetofthe trunnion ring 89, but the 1 axis of the spool vwill always remain parallel to the axis of the trunnion ring. There will also be 3 a slight movement of the ball I29 inwardly and outwardly of the socket I39 in element I32, and

. 1 'an exactly equal movement of the element I33 inward and outward of its socket I31. This 'foli lows from the fact that the annular housing ring 5 9294 maintains the axis of the trunnion in a line extending through the center of the joint.

Aside from the fact that the above described structure gives rise to the constant velocity char- Q acteristics of the joint, it has a further function, 1 in that it also maintains the central transverse plane of the housing ring 92-94 at equal angles 1 with respect to the axes of the main joint memj bers I9 and II. This follows from the fact that the mechanism not only controls the alignment of 3 the trunnion axls but also controls th plane'of 3 i ot the housing ring 92-94 which is attached the trunnion ring 99, and. consequently the plane ithereto. The advantage of this arrangement is that the intermediate housing rings-92 and 94 jwill always shift in any direction through anangle equal to one-half of the angle by which the axis of relationof the mainljoint member ishlfts with respect to the axis of the other main joint member. Accordingly, it is possible to very materially reduce the amount of overlap between the central annular housing members 92 and 94 and the housing members I99 and MI, which ioperate therewith to seal the joint. v

t The form of joint Just described maybe assembled in the following manner. The torque -.rings 92 and 94 are assembled in position. v

7 units for motor vehicles, it is essential to provide universal joints of small size and great strength, es

1. Where; as in the case of front. wheel drive it may be desirable tochange the form of the torque transmitting members in the manner shown in Figs. 10, ,11 and l2. In the universal joint illustrated in the latter figures, the torque transmitting elements I29 and I2 I, which are carriled respectively by hubs I22 and I23, are provided with slots I26 and I2! like those described in previous embodiments of the invention, but the slotted Jams of each element areconnected to each other throughout'their leng ths, thus pro-- vidinga pair of continuous, partly"sphericalv ele ments. As best shown in Fig. 11, the element I29 .relatively into the position is almost a complete sphere having a continuous annular transverse section. Theinner element I2I is similar except that it is provided with flattened opposite sides I39 and I3I for a purpose to be described. It is apparent that torqueatransmitting'elements which are continuously annular .in transverse section are of substantially greater strength and rigidity thanthe spaced separate jaw type shown in Figs. 1-9 Inclusive.

The torque transmitting element I 29 is substantially spherical in'internal confi'guration'exlcept that at opposite sides of the. plane of slots I26 the open end of the element I 29 is provided with a cut away area I32 of cylindrical contour. as best shown in Fig. 12, in orderto provide clearance for assembly of the elements I29 and I 2|. The element I2I is assembled with respect to element I 29 by first rotating the members relatively through 90 from their normal position, whereupon they may be telescoped together. The cut away areal-39 provides clearance for the slotted spherical portions of element I 2| and the flats I39 and BI on element I2I provide clearance for y the slotted spherical portions of element I29 as the element.I2I is inserted within element I29. After the torque transmitting elements I29 and I2I are telescoped together they may be rotated shown in Figs. 10 to 12 inclusive.

In this form of joint it i impossible to utilize the type of bisecting device shown in Figs. 6 and 7 inasmuch as there is no opening through which the spool I22 can be inserted after the torque transmittingelements are assembled and the spool cannot be placed in position on trunnion ring 89 until after the torque transmitting elements I9 and II are assembled with the torque ring. Accordingly, th form of torque-transmit- :ting elements shown in Figs, 10-12 inclusive must be used in connection with the type of bisecting spool shown in Figs. 1 -5 inclusive, which can be placed loosely within torque, transmitting element 'I2I prior to its insertion within element I29.

Thereafter the trunnion I35 can be inserted through slots I26 and I21 and through the spool, indicated at I36.

The form of torque transmitting elements shown in Figs. 10 to 12 are particularly adapted for use in connection withtrunnion caps of the type shown in Figs. 1-5 inclusive, for maintaining the axis of the trunnion in the center of the joint. However, they may also be utilized in conjunction with the annular sealing ring type of-centering deviceshown in Figs. 6 to 8, and this latter form isshown in Figs. 10-12 for purpose of illustration. Thetrunnion I35 is secured to the twopiece annular sealing ring I31, I38 in the manner shown in Figs. 6m 8. Thesealing housing is completed by means of'a pair of partly spherical housing members I39"and I49, each of which carriesa sealing ring I' 4I and a'sprlng I42. The housing member I49 is fixed to an annular projection I45 on hub I23 ln-any desired manner, as by. a spinning operation. Projection I45 may serve as part of an axial thrust hearing.

The bisecting spool m cooperates with a pair of elements I59 and I 6-I'which are similar to the I elements "'shown in Figs. 1 and 4 except thatthey are provided with shoulders I52 and I53, respectively, for locating the elements with .respect to-spool I36. For reasonswhi'ch appear,

element I5'I is press. fitted into its opening 559 while, element I59 has a slip iii; in. its-opening 95..

One of the outstandln'gs features ertheajbmt" just described is its small size. In the past, one of the diiiiculties that has prevented the construction of small, compact constant velocity joints has been the difliculty of assembling them with a bisecting device located interiorly of the joint. The present joint, however, is so constructed that in spite of its small size and the fact that the bisecting device is entirely enclosed, it may be readily assembled in the following manner. Element I5I is pressed into opening I54 of member III in the relative position shown in Fig. 10 and element I50 is inserted in opening I55 of member I20, with the axis of the outer cylindrical portion of element I50 extending sub-.

I20, in which position the axis of the outer cylindrical portion of element I50 is displaced through an angle .of 90 from the final position shown in Fig. 10. Thereafter, the bisecting spool I36 isplaced within joint member I'2I and in engagement with element I5I, as shown in Fig. 10, and the joint member III is advanced into joint member I20. .As previously indicated, joint member III is inserted into member I20 while dis placed relative thereto by an angle of 90 degrees.

Accordingly, during this-insertion of member I2I into member I20, the spaced flanges on spool I can embrace: elementxl which is also displaced by90 from its final position. Thereafter joint members I20 and III are rotated relative to each other through an angle of 90 into the position shown in Fig. 10. During this relative rotation, element I5I cannot rotate in opening between element I50 and the opening I to maintain the element against longitudinal sliding movement in the opening after the parts are assembled. However, shoulder I52 positively prevents inward movement of the element and the shank of spool I35 will limit outward movement to an immaterial amount. The assembly is completed by inserting trunnion I35 through the slots in members-I20 and I2I and the opening in spool I35, and by assembling the sleeves, the rollers, and the housings- I31I38 on the trunnion.

It should benoted that the bisecting elements 65 in the form of invention shown in Figs. 1-5, inclusive, and the corresponding elements I50 and III in modification shown in Figs. 10-12, inelusive, would be operative if their outer ends which engage with the spool flanges were spherical instead of cylindrical in form. In that event, both of the elements I50 and I5I could be press fitted in the joint members I20 and I'll without interfering materially with assembly of the Joint. However, these elements are preferably formed with cylindrical end-portions, the axes of which extend perconstant velocity characteristics of the joint, and

create noise.

It will be observed that in accordance with the present invention there are provided three novel forms of constant velocity joints which are exceedingly rugged, simple and compact in their construction, and which embody a number of important features of advantage, among these the fact that the trunnions are centered by means latter feature, the amount of sliding friction'in. the joint is negligible, and yet the loads which may be transmitted safely are exceedingly high.

While only thre forms of the invention have been shown and described, it is apparent-that.

other modifications are available within the spirit) of the specification, the drawings, and in the appended claims. What is claimed is:

1.'In a constant velocity universal joint,

' ternal and internal members having interengaging internal and external spherical surface por- I tions, respectively, for universally connecting the members together, a trunnion element forming the driving connection between said members, the external member also having an external spherical surface concentric with the center of the joint, means connected to the trunnion and engaging said last mentioned external spherical surface for maintaining the axis of the trunnion ina lineextending through the center of the joint, and means for maintaining the angles be- I tween the axis of the trunnion and the axes of said members equal to each other as the members oscillate with respect to each other about the center of the joint.

2. In a constant velocity universaljoint, inner and outer members having external and internal spherical surfaces,' respectively, in engagement and concentric with each other,'slots in each of said members extending respectively in planes containing the axes of the respective members, the outerof said members having external spherical surface portions adjacent said slots and concentric with said first mentioned spherical sur-' spherical portion of said outer member, said caps v having internal spherical surface portions for maintaining the mid point in the axis of said a driving connection therebetween, a trunnion journaled in said sleeve, one of said members having an external spherical surface adjacent the slot through which said sleeve extends, means for maintaining the axis of said trunnion in a line extending through the center of said spherical surface including a cap element fixedly secured to the end of the trunnion and having a marginal portion projecting radially beyondsaid sleeve and engaging said spherical surface, said v 4. In a constant velocity universal joint, driving and driven members connected together forv relative universal movement, a trunnion forming the driving connection between said members, a sleeve member slidable upon said trunnion and having a pair of axially spaced radially extends ing flanges, and means carried by each of said members and extending into the space between {said flanges at opposite sides of said sleeve,'re-

spectively, for maintaining the angles between the axis of said trunnion and the axes of .said members equal to eachother during oscillation of saidmembers relative toeach other about the center of the joint, said members each having an axially extending opening formed therein, and said means comprising a pair of elements each having a shank portion fitted in one of said open; ings and having a terminal portion of cylindrical contour fitting into the space between said sleeve flanges, the axes ofsald cylindrical terminal por- 5 tions extending transversely to the axes of the respective members.

5. In a constant velocity universal joint, driving and driven members connected together for relative universal movement, a trunnion forming the sole driving connection, between saidmembers, a sleeve member slidable upon said trunnion 1 and having a, pair of axially spaced radially extending flanges, and means carried by each. of said members and extending into the space between said flanges at opposite sides of said sleeve, respectively, for maintaining the angles between the axis 01' said trunnion and the axes of said members equal to each other during oscillation of said members relative to each .other about the center of the Joint, said members each-'havin'g an axially extending cylindrical opening formed therein, and said means comprising a pair of elements each having a cylindrical shank portion fitted in one of said'openings and having a terminal portion of cylindrical contour fitting into the spacebetween's'aid sleeve flanges,:the axes of said cylindrical terminal portions extending transversely to the axes of the respective cylindrical shank portions.

6. In a constant velocity universal'joint, idriving and driven members, means including a trunnion forming a driving connection between said members, a sleeve member slidable upon said trunnion and having a pairof axially spaced radially extnding fianges, and means carried by each of said members and extending into 'the space between said flanges at opposite j sides of said sleeve, respectively, for maintaining the an.-

gles between the axis of said trunnion and the axes of said members equal to each other during oscillation of said members relative to each other about the center of the Joint, said 1 members each having an axially extending open- 70 ing formed therein, and said means comprising 1 a pair of elements each having a shank portion fitted in one of said openings and having a ter-- minal portion of cylindrical contour fitting into the space between said sleeve flanges, the axes of said cylindrical terminal portions extending transversely to the axes of the'respective members.

7. In a constant velocity universal joint, driving and driven members, means including a trunnion forming a driving connection between said members, a sleeve member slidable upon said trunnion and having a pair of axially'spaced'radially extending flanges, and means carried by each of said members and extending into the space between said flanges at opposite sides of said sleeve, respectively, for maintaining the angles between the axis of said trunnion and the axes of said members equal to eachother during oscillation of said members relative to each other about the center of the joint, said members each having an axially extending cylindrical. opening formed therein, and said means comprising a pairof elements each having a cylindrical shank portion fitted in one of said openings and having a terminal portion oi cylindrical contour fitting into the/space between said sleeve flanges, the axes of saidcylindricalterminal portions extending transversely to the axes of therespective cylindrical shank portions. v

8. In a constant velocity universal Joint, driving and driven members, a trunnion element adapted to transmit a driving torque from one of said members to the other, one of said members having a spherical surfaceportion concentric with the center of said joint, means engageable with said spherical surface portion for maintaining the mid point in the axis of said trunnion at the center of the joint, a sleeve element slidably mounted upon said trunnion and having spaced radially exten ing flanges, and

rs and extending means carried by, said mem 7 into the space between said sleeve flanges for maintaining the angles between the'axis of said trunnion and the axes of said members equal to each other as the members oscillate with re- 9. In a constant velocity universal joint, driving and driven ,members} a trunnion element adapted to transmit a driving torque from one of said members to the other, one of said members having-an external spherical surface portion concentric with the center of said joint,-a segmental spherical .cap element secured to each end of said trunnion element, said cap elements engaging diametrically opposed portions of said spherical portion of said member for maintaining the mid point' in the axis of said trunnion at the center of the joint, a sleeve element slidably mounted 'spect to each other about the center of the joint.

upon said trunnion and having Spaced r lly extending flanges, and means carriedby said members and extending into the space between said sleeve flanges for maintaining the. angles between the axis of said trunnion and the axes of said members equal to each other as the members oscillate with respect to each other about the center of the joint.

10. .In a constant velocity universal joint, -external and internal members having interengaging internal and external spherical suriace portions respectively, for universally connecting the members together, a trunnion element forming the; driving connection between said members, means for maintaining the angles between the axes of said trunnion and the axes of said members equal to each other during relative oscillation of said members about the center of the oint, the external member also having an external spherical surface concentric with the center of the joint and an annular segmental spherical band fittingv said last mentioned external spherical surface, said band being secured to said trunnion at the ends thereof whereby it maintains the mid point in the axis of the trunnion at the center of the joint.

11. In a constant velocity universal joint, inner and outer torque transmitting members having interengaging external and internal spherical surfaces, respectively, for universally connecting the members together, a trunnion element forming a driving connection between the members, the outer member having external spherical surface portions concentric with the center oithe joint, an annular segmental spherical band surrounding said joint and fitting said last mentioned spherical surface portions, said band being fixedly secured to said trunnion with the axis of the trunnion in the central plane of the band whereby the mid point in the axis of the trunnion is maintained in the center of the joint, a pair of.

housing elements each fixed with respect to one of said members and having an overlapping sealing engagement with said band, and means for maintaining thecentrai plane of said band 'at equal angles with respect to the axes of said members.

12. In a constant velocity universal joint, inner and outer torque transmitting members having interengaging external and internal spherical surfaces, respectively, for universally connecting the members together, slots diametrically opposed in each of said members lying in planes containing the axes of the respective members, a trunnion element extending through the slots in both members and forming a driving connection between the members, the outer member having external spherical,'surface portions concentric with the center of the joint, an annular segmental spherical band surrounding said joint and fitting said last mentioned spherical surface portions, said band being fixedly secured to said trunnion with the axis 015 the trunnion in the central plane of the band whereby the mid point in the axis oithe trunnion is maintained in the center of the joint, a pair of housing elements each fixed with respect to one of said members and having an overlapping sealing engagement with said band, and means for maintaining the central plane of said band at equal angles with respect to the axes of said members. I l

13. In a constant velocity universal Joint, driving and driven members, a trunnion element 1 spherical surfaces being in eng' forming a driving connection between-said members, saidtrunnion element having an arm projecting at right angles thereto, an annular segmental spherical band surrounding said jointand secured to one end of the trunnion and to the end of the arm with the trunnion and arm positioned substantially in the plane of the band,

a pair of housing elements each secured to one;

of said members and having an overlapping sealing engagement with said band, and means for maintaining the central plane of said band at equal angles with respect to .the axes of said members.

14. In a constant velocity universal joint, driving and driven members, a trunnion element forming a driving connection between said members, said trunnion element having a pair of arms projecting in opposlte'dir'ections therefrom, an annular segmental spherical band surrounding said joint and secured to the ends 01 the trunnion and to the ends of the arms, with the trunnion and arms positioned in the central plane of the band, a pair of housing elements each secured to one of said members and having an overlap ping sealing engagement with said band and means for maintaining band at equal angles with respect to the axes of said members. V

15. In, a constant velocity universal joint, a pair of-members having internal and external concentric spherical surfaces, respectively, said other for universally connect g the members, slots extending through said members in proximity to said spherical surfaces, the slots in each member extending in a plane containing the axis of that member, a sleeve extending through slots in both members, means element extending taining the angles between the axis of said sleeve and the axes of said menibers equal during relative oscillation of said members about the center 01 the joint, needle bearings between the sleeve and trunnion, and means carried by said trunman for retaining said sleeves and needles in position, said means being engageable with a portion' of one of said membersfor maintaining the axis of the sleeve extending in a line through the center of the joint.

HANS WOILNER.

ement with each 1 including a trunnionv through said sleeve for main- 

